Pore size controllable filter

ABSTRACT

The pore size controllable filter can separate and remove effectively the suspended solid and eliminate rapidly it captured by the device. The filtering materials ( 21 ) are built on the upper filtering material holder ( 23 ) and the lower filtering material holder ( 24 ) of radial type facing each other at a certain distance in the filtering tub ( 2 ), forming a filtering layer ( 21   a ). According to the direction and the degree of rotation of the upper handle ( 28 ) connected to the upper rotation axis, the filtering materials ( 21 ) come together to the center along the upper filtering material holder ( 23 ) and the lower filtering material holder ( 24 ). Then one side or both sides are twisted in opposite directions and concentrated around the perforated pipe ( 22 ) located at the central axis or restored to the original state. Accordingly, the size of the pore created between the filtering materials ( 21 ) can be adjusted, enabling to conduct filtering and washing operations at a proper level.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pore size controllable filter capableof removing a suspended substance in water, and in particular to a poresize controllable filter which is capable of forming a filtering layer(21 a) by connecting a filtering material (21) having a good expansionand contraction characteristic to a radial shape filtering materialholder (23) and lower filtering material holder (24) which are oppositeeach other at a certain distance, so that it is possible to decrease thesizes of pores in such a manner that the filtering material (21) engagedto the upper filtering material holder (23) and lower filtering materialholder (24) is wound onto a perforated pipe (22) positioned in a centershaft based on a rotation direction and degree of a rotary shaft,receives a certain tension force and is moved in a central directionalong the upper filtering material holder (23) and lower filteringmaterial holder (24) and it is possible to increase the sizes of poresby recovering the filtering material (21) to its original states,whereby it is possible to implement easier filtering and washingoperations.

BACKGROUND ART

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional filter includes a raw water supplypipe (2), a processing water discharging pipe (7), a washing watersupply pipe (6), a discharging pipe (1), and a filtering layer (4)formed of filtering materials. An air supply pipe (5) and a pressureadjusting and air discharging valve (8) are further provided forimplementing an easier washing operation.

The operation of the above filter is divided into a filtering processand a washing process.

In the filtering process, raw water including a suspended substance isflowed into a filter for thereby producing processed water from which asuspended substance is filtered. In addition, in the filtering process,the pores formed in the filtering layer of the filter are directed tocapturing the suspended substances in the raw water based on acomplicated mechanism such as a mass separation, precipitation, inertiacollision, blocking, absorption, cohesion methods for thereby producinga clean water as a processed water.

As the filtering process is continuously performed, the suspendedsubstances are filled in the pores formed in the filtering layer, andthe filtering resistance is increased. When the filtering resistanceexceeds a certain degree, the filtering process is not performed. Atthis time, the washing is performed for eliminating the suspendedsubstances filled in the pores by supplying a clean washing water andair. At this time, the performance of the filter is determined based onan eliminating ratio of the suspended substances, a filtering rate, afiltering duration time, the amount of a washing water, a washingfrequency, a washing time, etc.

As the filtering materials that are filled into the filtering layer,there are known an inorganic granular material such as sand, anthracite,coal, etc. The above filtering materials may be easily obtained and arecapable of filtering a particle smaller than the size of the pore formedby the filtering substances. However, in the filtering layer formed ofthe above filtering materials, since a filtering space for filtering thesuspended materials is limited to a surface portion, the filteringresistance is fast increased due to the closed states of the pores.Therefore, the reverse-washing process must be frequently performed. Inorder to overcome the above problem in which the suspended substancesare mainly captured in a surface portion, a filter in which a filteringlayer is formed in a double layer or multiple layers is developed. Inthe above filter, filtering materials each having different granulardiameters and densities are formed in each layer and the layers are notdistinctly separated. Therefore, as the washing process is continuouslyperformed, the boundaries between the neighboring layers are indefinite.Therefore, it is impossible to implement a desired purpose. In addition,when the granular filtering material is used, the filtering materialsmay be lost during the reverse-washing process.

Recently, according to a filter (Patent No. 10-0241198), in order toenhance the performance of the filter, a fiber material is used as afiltering material. In this case, a fiber material is fixed to a lowerportion of the filter, and a raw water supply pressure pressurizes thefiltering material, and the pressure of air and washing water expandsthe filtering material. According to the above filter, since a filteringlayer is single, and the pressurizing degree of the filtering materialis determined based on the supplying pressure of the raw water, thespace for capturing the suspended substances is small, so that thefiltering duration time is decreased, and the frequency of the washingoperation is increased, and it is not easy to cope with the change ofthe quality of the flowing-in water. In addition, it is difficult toadjust the quality and amount of water. In order to overcome the aboveproblems, a permanent type filter (Laid-open No. 1999-030247), whichincludes a variable type filter layer using a piston is developed. Inthe above filter, since the filtering material is pressurized anddepressurized by the piston in the vertical direction, if the abovefilter is used for a long time, the filtering materials may be tangled,so that the filtering materials may not be fully recovered during thewashing operation, and it is impossible to implement a desired washingoperation.

In addition, according to a filter (Patent No. 1997-0007944), thefiltering material is installed in a concentric shape between a movablecircular plate and a fixed circular plate, and the movable circularplates are rotated for thereby pressurizing the filtering materials.However, the above filter has a disadvantage in that the filteringmaterials positioned near the circular plates are not pressurized, andthe movable circular plate is moved in the direction of the fixedcircular plate for thereby performing a pressurizing operation in orderfor the filtering material not to receive a tension force. In this case,the filtering area is too small compared to the size of a filtering tub(2). In addition, since the rotary shaft is moved through the filteringtub (2), it is impossible to implement a pressurizing filteringoperation.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a poresize controllable filter which overcomes the problems encountered in theconventional art and which is capable of enhancing a filtering speed anda filtering duration time, effectively filtering a suspended substancefrom water by decreasing a washing frequency and the amount of washingwater and simplifying a water processing operation

In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided a pore sizecontrollable filter in which the radial shape filtering material holdersengaged to a rotary shaft or fixed shaft are installed opposite to eachother at a certain distance, the filtering materials having a goodexpansion and contraction characteristic are connected to both filteringmaterial holders for thereby forming a filtering layer, the filteringmaterials hanging on the filtering material holders are wound onto theperforated pipe based on the rotation direction and degree of the rotaryshaft and are moved in the center direction along the filtering materialholders based on a tension force for thereby decreasing the sizes of thepores and implementing a desired filtering operation, and increasing thesizes of the pores by recovering the filtering materials to theiroriginal states for thereby implementing a reverse-washing operation.

In particular, since the filtering materials positioned near thefiltering material holders may be moved in the center direction alongthe filtering material holders, it is possible to maintain a uniformpore size based on the perforated pipe. In addition, it is possible tochange the sizes of the pores based on the distance from the perforatedpipe by changing the lengths of the filtering materials by separatingthe inner and outer sides of the filtering layer and diversifying thetypes of the filtering materials. And it is possible to maximize thefiltering cross-section area. Therefore it is possible to overcome theproblems encountered in the conventional art.

In addition, since the filtering materials are rotated and squeezedusing a handle, it is possible to implement the same pressurizing degreeeven using a smaller force than in the method in which the filteringmaterials are pressurized using a piston. The filtering materialsmaintain a fully loosened state even when the filtering materials areused for a long time for thereby implementing a clean state of the same.Since the filtering cross-section area according to the presentinvention corresponds to a surface area of the perforated pipe comparedto the conventional art in which the filtering cross section area of thefilter is limited to the vertical cross section area of the filteringtub (2), it is possible to increase the filtering cross section area byincreasing the diameters of the perforated pipe and increasing theheight of the filtering tub (2) without increasing the cross sectionarea of the filtering tub (2).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become better understood with reference tothe accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustrationand thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional filter;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a one-stage rotation pore sizecontrollable filter (a pressurizing state of a filtering material)according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a one-stage rotation pore sizecontrollable filter (a loosened state of a filtering material) accordingto the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a two-stage rotation pore sizecontrollable filter according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTIONS OF IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (1) washing water discharging pipe (2) raw water supply pipe (3)filter main body (4) filtering layer (5) washing water air supply pipe(6) washing water supply pipe (7) processing eater discharging pipe (8)air discharging valve FIGS. 2, 3, 4 (1) raw water supply unit (11) rawwater supply pipe (11a) raw water supply valve (12) upper washing waterdis- charging pipe (12a) upper washing water dis- (13) upper flangecharging valve (14) safety valve (15) filtering material escapeprevention ring (2) filtering tub (21) filtering material (21a)filtering layer (22) perforated pipe (22a) perforated pipe fixing ring(23) upper filtering material holder (24) lower filtering materialholder (25) upper rotary shaft (26) upper rotary shaft sealing portion(27) upper rotary shaft bearing (28) upper handle (28a) upper handlefixing pin (29) lower handle (29a) lower handle fixing pin (3)processing water discharging (31) processing eater discharging portionpipe (31a) processing water discharging (32) washing water supply pipevalve (32a) washing water supply valve (33) lower flange (34) washingair supply pipe (34a) washing air supply valve (34b) washing airdischarging port (35) lower washing water dis- charging pipe (35a) lowerwashing water dis- (36) lower rotary shaft charging valve (37) lowerrotary shaft sealing portion (38) lower rotary shaft support (39) lowerrotary shaft bearing

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a one-stage rotation pore controllablefilter according to an embodiment of the present invention. As showntherein, a raw water supply unit (1), a filtering layer (21 a), and aprocessing water discharging portion (3) are installed from acircumferential direction of the filtering tub (2) to a centerdirection. In an upper flange (13) of the filtering tub (2), a hole isformed to which an upper rotary shaft sealing portion (26) is engaged inorder for water to flow through a hole into which the upper rotary shaft(25) is inserted and a gap between the upper rotary shaft (25) and theupper flange (13), and a pipe is welded for engaging a safety valve (14)and implementing a pressure measurement. A perforated pipe (22) passesthrough a lower flange (33) of the filtering tub (2) and is weldedthereto, and a pipe is welded for connecting the washing air supply pipe(34). One side of the upper rotary shaft (25) is connected with theupper handle (28), and the upper filtering material holder (23) isengaged in a radial direction for hanging the filtering material (21) inan outer side of the other side of the same. The lower filteringmaterial holder (24) is welded in a radial shape in the perforated pipe(22) welded to the lower flange (33) of the filtering tub (2) forthereby hanging the filtering material (21) thereon, and one end of theperforated pipe (22) is inserted into the lower rotary shaft (36). Atthis time, the multiple pore portion of the perforated pipe (22) ispositioned only between both the filtering material holders.

The upper filtering material holder (23) attached to the upper rotaryshaft (25) is rotated in the same direction as the upper rotary shaft(25). Since the lower filtering material holder (24) attached to theperforated pipe (22) is fixed, the lower filtering material holder (24)is not rotated. Therefore, when the upper rotary shaft (25) is rotated,the filtering materials (21) hanging on the upper and lower filteringmaterial holders is wound onto the perforated pipe (22) positioned inthe center portion and receives a tension force. Since the filteringmaterial holders are installed in the radial direction, the filteringmaterials (21) are moved in the center direction, so that the poresformed between the filtering materials (21) are decreased at allpositions of the filtering layer (21 a). At this time, the filteringmaterials (21) must be installed longer than the distance between theupper and lower filtering material holders in order for the filteringmaterials (21) to be fully wound onto the perforated pipe (22) and toreceive a tension force. The filtering material (21) having a smallerdiameter is first inserted into the upper and lower filtering materialholders, and the outer filtering material (21) must have a longer lengthfor thereby implementing a double layer filtering function. After thefiltering material (21) is engaged, a filtering material escapeprevention ring (15) is inserted onto the ends of the upper and lowerfiltering material holders for preventing an escape of the filteringmaterial (21).

In the filtering process, the filtering material (21 a) is fully washed,and the filtering material (21) is pressurized near the perforated pipe(22) by rotating the upper handle (28) in a state that only theprocessing water discharging valve (31 a) and the raw water supply valve(11 a) are opened, and the upper handle (28) is fixed with the upperhandle fixing pin (28 a) for thereby flowing and filtering the rawwater. In this state, as the filtering process is continuouslyperformed, the suspended substances are increased in the filtering layer(21 a) in the filter, and the filtering resistance is increased. As thedischarging speed of the processing water is decreased, and the pressureis increased, the captured suspended substances are discharged togetherwith the processing water. At this time, if the discharging speed of theprocessing water is below a preset value, or the pressure of thefiltering tub (2) is higher than a preset value, or if the water qualityis degraded rather than a desired degree, the filtering operation isstopped, and the routine is changed to the washing process.

The washing process may be performed based on an automatic or manualmethod. The raw water supply valve (11 a) and the processing waterdischarging valve (31 a) are closed, and the lower washing waterdischarging valve (35 a), the washing air supply valve (34 a), and thewashing water supply valve (32 a) are opened in a sequence, and all theremaining valves are closed. Thereafter, the handle fixing pin (28 a) isremoved, and the upper handle (28) is rotated in the reverse directionfor thereby fully loosening the filtering material (21). As shown inFIG. 3, the upper handle (28) is continuously rotated in both directionsfor thereby washing the filtering material (21). The pressurizing andloosening operations are repeatedly performed line like washing clothesin flowing water for thereby removing the suspended substances capturedin the interior of the filtering layer (21 a). The polluted washingwater is discharged to the lower washing water discharging pipe (35).When it is judged that the suspended substances captured in thefiltering layer (21 a) are fully removed, the filtering process isstarted.

FIG. 4 shows a 2 stage rotation pore size controllable filter having anupper handle 28 and lower handle 29, an upper rotary shaft 25 and alower rotary shaft 36.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, in the present invention, the filtering materialholders fixed to the rotary shaft or fixed shaft are installed in thefiltering tub in a radial shape opposite to each other at a certaindistance there between, and the filtering materials each having a goodexpansion and contraction characteristic are connected for therebyforming a filtering layer, and the filtering materials hanging on thefiltering material holders are wound onto the perforated pipe positionedin the center shaft based on the rotation direction and degree of therotary shaft and receive a certain tension force and are moved in thedirection of the center portion along the filtering material holders.Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to decrease thesizes of the pores for thereby implementing a desired filteringoperation, and it is possible to increase the sizes of the pores byrecovering the filtering materials to their original states for therebyimplementing a reverse washing operation. In the present invention, itis possible to easily separate and remove the suspended substances ofvarious sizes in a certain solution, and it is possible to easilyseparate the suspended substances captured in the filtering layer. Thefilter according to the present invention is designed to obtain the areaof the filtering layer in maximum, and the washing frequency and theamounts of the washing water are significantly decreased. The pore sizecontrollable filter according to the present invention may be welladapted to a practical filter.

1. A filter for filtering a substance suspended in solution, comprising:a filtering tub; a shaft of perforated pipe within said tub; an upperrotary shaft, said shaft of perforated pipe being positioned within saidupper rotary shaft; an upper filtering material holder fixed to saidupper rotary shaft; and a lower filtering material holder fixed to saidshaft of perforated pipe; said upper filtering material holder and saidlower filtering material holder, each formed of a plurality of barsextending in the radial direction and being separated from each other inthe axial direction by a distance; filtering material being connected tosaid upper and lower filtering material holders, said filtering materialhaving a good expansion and contraction characteristic, said filteringmaterial hanging on the upper and lower filtering material holders in aloop; said filtering material being wound about said perforated pipe ina helical fashion, said filtering material hanging on said upper andlower filtering material holders, and said filtering material movingalong said upper and lower filtering material holders due to a rotationof said upper rotary shaft and upper filtering material holder; wherebysaid filtering material receives a tension force so as to decrease thesize of the pores and implement a desired filtering operation; saidfiltering material being unwound to implement a reverse washingoperation whereby the size of the pores are increased.
 2. The filter ofclaim 1, further comprising: an upper handle connected to the upperrotary shaft; a lower rotary shaft, said shaft of perforated pipe beingpositioned within said lower rotary shaft; and a lower handle connectedto said lower rotary shaft; wherein said upper filtering material holderand said lower filtering material holder are engaged to the upper rotaryshaft and the lower rotary shaft, respectively, and the upper handle thelower handle are rotated in order for the upper filtering materialholder and the lower filtering material holder to be rotated in reversedirections, respectively.
 3. The filter according to claim 2, whereinsaid upper filtering material holder and said lower filtering materialholder are connected with a driving force transfer apparatus and arotation direction conversion apparatus in order to rotate said upperfiltering material holder and said lower filtering material holder inreverse directions to thereby implementing pressurizing and loosening ofthe filtering material using one handle.
 4. The filter of one of claim2, claim 1 or claim 3, wherein one filtering tub includes a plurality offiltering layers each having a rotary shaft and processing waterdischarging portion.
 5. The filter according to claim 1, wherein saidsolution is introduced into said tub through a raw water supply pipe andthe filtered solution leaves the tub through a processing waterdischarging pipe.
 6. The filter according to claim 1, wherein washingwater is introduced into said tub through a washing water supply pipeand polluted washing water is discharged through a lower washing waterdischarging pipe.
 7. The filter according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of said upper and lower filtering material holders extend at anangle to said shaft of perforated pipe, so that the distance betweensaid upper filtering material holder and said lower filtering materialholder increases when moving in a radial direction.
 8. The filteraccording to claim 1, wherein said filtering material is loopedrepeatedly between said upper and lower filtering material holders so asto form a plurality of loops which overlap as the filtering material iswound about the shaft of perforated pipe.
 9. The filter according toclaim 1, wherein said upper rotary shaft is connected to an upper handlewhich is rotated to wind and unwind the filtering material.
 10. Thefilter according to claim 9, wherein said lower filtering materialholder is fixed.